Bryant E News November 21 2016

During this week of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share with you a bit of history on the holiday and reveal an Illinois connection that you may not have been aware of.

More than 150 years prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence and subsequent American Revolutionary War, English pilgrims who had previously fled religious tyranny in Europe held a 3 day feast to celebrate a successful harvest.

In 1776, the first Continental Congress issued the first ever proclamation of Thanksgiving. As the United States gained its independence and established a new Government in the following years, Presidents issued these Thanksgiving proclamations only periodically.

But, it was Illinois' own Abraham Lincoln who issued a Presidential proclamation in the middle of the Civil War in 1863 declaring Thanksgiving as an annual national holiday. The Thanksgiving holiday has been celebrated nationwide ever since. During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to wish you God's blessings for a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season.PAGE FOR A DAY
During last week's Veto Session, I was honored to have Mr. Hunter Shirley from Rome School in Dix to serve as my "Page for a Day" in Springfield. Hunter learned the ropes as a page and delivered messages to and ran errands for members of the Illinois House. If you know someone that would be interested in serving as a Page for the Day in the upcoming legislative session, please contact my office at (618) 242-8115. Thanks for coming to Springfield, Hunter!

FREY FARMS HONORED IN SPRINGFIELD

This week in Springfield, I was thrilled to join Department of Agriculture Director Raymond Poe, State Representative David Reis, officials from Wal Mart, and Sarah Frey-Talley of rural Wayne County as Wal Mart congratulated Frey Farms on its 20 year relationship with the retailer. Frey Farms is the largest producer of pumpkins in the United States and is located right here in southern Illinois. Congratulations to Sarah Frey-Talley and Frey Farms for their continued growth and success!

From L:R - State Representative David Reis, Department of Agriculture Director Raymond Poe, Sarah Frey-Tally, and
State Rep. Terri Bryant

STAY CONNECTED!

My office in Mt. Vernon is staffed Monday through Friday and my office in Murphysboro is staffed Monday through Thursday, each from 8:30 to 4:00 PM. You can find me on Facebook to keep up with my travels throughout the district. You can email me directly at bryant@ilhousegop.org or send me a message through the contact form on my website at www.repbryant.com

Your opinions on important topics facing the State of Illinois are invaluable to me. Keep them coming!